P11/P15 - Dutch sector of the North Sea

Methodology

In 1996, MPOG^® was carried out at North Sea Block P11/P15 along several profile lines. In order to test this method some profiles crossed a well-known oil field, a gas field, as well as a negative tested structure. Other profiles crossed several geological structures with unknown content.

Sediment samples for geo-microbiological investigations were taken along profiled and analyzed without knowledge of geological data and well positions.

Results

The oil fields brought significant microbial anomalies, whereas the negative structure did not give any hydrocarbon indications. At several untested structures, MPOG identified microbial anomalies of category "A". One of these geological structures with significant microbial anomalies was explored after the microbial investigation by means of two wells (autumn 1996: P11-3; 1997: P11-4).

Figure 1 shows the MPOG^® results and geological section of discovered oil field. The fields are located in a region of Diaclases in the Hewett Sandstone and Middle Bunter Sandstone at a depth of ca. 1,000 m. They are bordered by faults.

Summary

The probability of finding hydrocarbons in this structure was calculated by geologists to be 15%. The positive result of MPOG^® above the structure was confirmed by two oil bearing wells drilled on microbial "Anomaly A". All identified anomalies are located vertically above detected reservoirs.